Welcome back to the latest edition of our Reliever Ranks series! This will bring you up-to-date bullpen depth charts every morning for the day’s games and makes for an excellent tool for those looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs seven days a week, so check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!
Transaction and Schedule Notes
- For a Thursday slate, it was a busy schedule with 11 games total.
- The Braves and Marlins had three-hour rain delay during their game – likely shifting the reliever usage plan for the next few days and something to keep an eye on going into the weekend.
- Eight other teams had a rest day– MIL, CLE, COL, HOU, TOR, CIN, ARI, and BOS.
- Raisel Iglesias was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment for his shoulder inflammation. Once activated, Iglesias will work his way back to being the primary closer in Atlanta and A.J. Minter will move into his standard key setup role.
- The A’s reinstated Domingo Acevedo from the 15-day IL. Acevedo had been on the IL since April 12 with an injured back. He will look to find balance after struggling to start the season.
Yesterday’s Performances
SEA 0 – PHI 1
SV: Craig Kimbrel (3)
H: Connor Brogdon (2), Seranthony Dominguez (3), Gregory Soto (6)
- Despite a strong outing from George Kirby (8 IP, 1 ER, 7Ks, and 1 BB), the Mariners fell to the Phillies 1-0 behind a stellar bullpen performance from Philadelphia. It was a holds party as the four relievers used in the game allowed only one hit, capturing three holds, and a save in the close game. After starter Matt Strahm departed, Seranthony Dominguez finished out the sixth inning with eight pitches. Connor Brogdon and Gregory Soto followed with strong outings of their own, each extending the Phils’ shutout, before Craig Kimbrel locked down his 397th career save with two strikeouts in the ninth. Kimbrel is in a race for 400 with Kenley Jansen (who is also sitting on 397).
SD 2 – CHC 5
SV: Brad Boxberger (2)
H: Michael Fulmer (2), Mark Leiter Jr. (6), Keegan Thompson (3)
- Both starters lasted five innings, so each team trotted out a number of relief arms. For Chicago, Michael Fulmer, Mark Leiter Jr., and Keegan Thompson picked up holds. Lieter Jr. lowered his ERA to 1.80 on the season, picking up his sixth hold. Thompson gave up only his second earned run on the season and earned his third hold of 2023. Brad Boxberger pitched the ninth for the Cubs, earning his second save, a day after appearing in the eighth inning. The Cubs’ closer situation is one to monitor moving forward. It will be interesting to see who receives the chance to close out the game today if a save opportunity arises as Boxberger has pitched in consecutive days.
- For the Padres, Brent Honeywell Jr. and Luis Garcia each struck out one during their inning of work. Tim Hill gave up a solo shot to Dansby Swanson during the seventh inning.
OAK 7 – LAA 8
SV: Carlos Estévez (5)
H: Aaron Loup (4), Matt Moore (7), José Quijada (5)
- Domingo Acevedo was back for Oakland after being activated from the IL. He entered the game in the sixth inning and gave up two hits and an earned run. A’s starter J.P. Sears only lasted four innings, so Oakland used four other relievers in addition to Acevedo. Like Acevedo, Chad Smith also allowed a run while Sam Moll, Jeurys Familia, and Richard Lovelady kept any additional runs off the board, giving up a combined one hit.
- Shohei Ohtani had his worst outing of the year, surrendering five earned runs and two home runs, so the Angels utilized more pitchers than usual in an Ohtani outing. Matt Moore relieved Ohtani in the seventh inning and continued his excellent season, throwing a scoreless frame with a strikeout and a walk, lowering his ERA to 1.35 on the season. José Quijada and Aaron Loup followed with holds of their own, despite a shaky outing from Quijada. He gave up three hits and two runs in a third of an inning. Carlos Estévez garnered his fifth save of the season after a sharp outing where he threw 11 out of his 12 pitchers for strikes. He and Quijada continue to alternate the save opportunities for the Halos.
MIA 5 – ATL 4
W: A.J Puk (2-0)
SV: Dylan Floro (1)
BS: Jesse Chavez (2)
L: A.J. Minter (1-3)
- The Braves and Marlins completed three innings of play before a three-hour rain delay threw off the rhythm of this game. Mother Nature’s impact likely caused some pain to fantasy lineups and altered the game’s reliever usage as the game’s starting pitchers (Braxton Miller and Kyle Wright) did not return when play resumed. Matt Barnes took over for the Marlins after the delay and walked the first two batters he faced, eventually allowing four runs to score. Miami’s relievers then straightened things out and didn’t give up another run in the game. The Marlins opted for A.J. Puk in the eighth inning with Dylan Floro pitching the ninth. Floro bounced back from his first poor outing of the year on Wednesday, earning his first save of the season in this game. He struck out two in a perfect inning.
- A.J. Minter’s struggles continued in this one as he allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in the ninth. After being one of MLB’s top setup men last season, Minter’s ERA has now climbed to 8.53, and he has allowed 10 earned runs in his last four appearances. He is likely eager to hear how Raisel Iglesias‘ rehab stint goes.
BAL 7 – DET 4
W: Bryan Baker (2-0)
SV: Félix Bautista (6)
H: Keegan Akin (3), José Cisnero (3)
BS: Chasen Shreve (3)
L: Chasen Shreve (1-2)
- Bryan Baker earned the win for the Orioles with a 1.2 IP outing that lowered his season ERA to 1.98. Keegan Akin picked up his third hold with a scoreless eighth while Félix Bautista earned his sixth save. Bautista will likely be resting today after back-to-back appearances. Yennier Cano is someone to add if you need bullpen help. He’ll likely receive the save chance today if needed and has been lights out this season. If you play in a SOLDS league, place an even higher priority on picking him up.
- For the Tigers, José Cisnero relieved starter Joey Wentz in the sixth inning and earned his third hold as he closed out the inning. This game was blown open in the seventh as Chasen Shreve turned in a poor outing. Shreve gave up five runs on four hits, including a home run to Anthony Santander.
NYY 4 – TEX 2
SV: Michael King (1)
- The relief highlight of this game was Michael King picking up his first save of the season. After Gerrit Cole departed in the seventh inning, King pitched the final 2.1 innings of relief, striking out two while not allowing a hit.
- Brock Burke and José Leclerc made relief appearances for the Rangers. Burke in his standard long relief role went two innings pitched and gave up three hits but no runs, while Leclerc did give up a home run to Jose Trevino in the ninth.
Best of the rest
- The Mets beat the Nationals 9-8 with Brooks Raley picking up the win after surrendering a save opportunity. David Robertson then pitched a clean ninth for this fifth save. Mason Thompson was hit with the blown save and the loss in this game, after a long relief appearance of three innings on Tuesday. Thompson had been locked in prior to this game so perhaps his arm was fatigued from his work Tuesday.
- Jhoan Duran pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Twins in a non-save appearance, striking out two and dropping his ERA to 1.93.
- The White Sox won the prize for most relievers used yesterday as Dylan Cease exited early after giving up six earned runs in a rough outing. The Sox used a total of six relief pitchers in this one so they are a situation to avoid today if you are looking to stream an arm.
Bullpen to Stream
Baltimore Orioles
- This was covered above but is worth mentioning again if you need waiver wire help. Félix Bautista has made two appearances in two days, so a vultured save opportunity could present itself today. Yennier Cano is the top candidate for this after earning his first save earlier this week. Cano has been electric thus far in 2023 and is someone you should check your waiver wire for today.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday
Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues
(Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)